M.A. / M.Div. Admission Requirements

The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is an institution established by the church for the preparation of pastors and lay professionals to carry out the mission of the church. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic work, spiritual gifts, relevant experiences, and a call to ministry that is in congruence with the basic purposes of the seminary and the church. The Admissions Committee uses the following criteria for admission. The applicant must:

Hold a Bachelor of Arts or Science degrees from an accredited college or university.
a. the standard of academic performance at the undergraduate level is 2.5 and above on a 4.0 scale. The admissions committee also considers a pattern of progress in an applicant’s history, performance in coursework most relevant to theological studies, academic letters of reference, and success in another graduate program;
Demonstrate social and relational maturity, emotional and spiritual health, and express a personal and social moral consciousness. A pre-admissions interview may be required to assist in determining this criterion;
Indicate previous and current participation in the life of the church. It is expected that a Lutheran applicant who is seeking a rostered position in the ELCA will be a member of good standing of a Lutheran congregation for at least one year per ELCA candidacy requirements;
Express vocational clarity and a theological understanding of vocation, primarily demonstrated in the biographical essay that is required but also in a pre-admissions interview, if needed.

Admission Procedures

Materials needed for a complete M.Div. or M.A. application are:

application form
application fee
three references
biographical essay
transcript of undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) program(s)

There are no application deadlines for admission, but it is recommended that interested persons should apply nine to twelve months before the academic year in which they wish to begin study. The Admissions Committee will meet once a month to consider the completed applications and to offer admission based on a majority vote within the committee. Applicants will be notified of the decision within two weeks of the decision.

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